Ice jams present real danger: Water Security Agency

Now that spring is upon us, the Water Security Agency (WSA) is advising the public to be aware of ice jams and flooding as the spring runoff progresses.

“One particular area we keep a close eye on, of course, is the Battle River between the border and North Battleford,” Patrick Boyle of the Water Security Agency said. “There was an ice jam there late Wednesday that we were monitoring but it seems to have broken up and the river is moving again.”

Boyle says ice jamming creates a significant issue as it can flood areas upstream very quickly. Once broken up, flooding downstream becomes a concern. 

“We really want to make people aware that this is a serious threat,” Boyle said. “We have seen in the past ice jams have occurred closer to the confluence with the North Saskatchewan River and [have] affected Highway 4.”